Why is there so much ‘fear and loathing’ of anything biotech?

Frankenfood
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In this era marked by Grand Canyon-sized divides among Americans, there’s one subject that seems to unite people, no matter how divergent their political persuasions. That issue is captured in three little letters: GMO.

We never give a second thought to the physical infrastructure, the technological capabilities, the incredible R&D that makes it all possible. It’s just part of modern life and integral to our 21st century lifestyles.

But for all our sophistication with high-tech gadgetry, a significant percentage of consumers exhibit fear and loathing of anything connected with biotech. They — we — trust implicitly that the telecom manufacturers, the Internet providers, the tech companies are all responsible actors in terms of the safety and efficacy of the devices that rule our lives.

But the idea of scientists using biotechnology to make crops hardier or more productive?

Unthinkable! Outrageous! A scourge on America that must be stopped, or at least avoided at all costs.

If a representative sampling of the population were asked, “Would you support a new medical treatment that triggers weight loss and could potentially ‘cure’ diabetes,” what do you suppose the answers would be? I’m guessing the responses would be overwhelmingly positive.

If you then explained that this treatment involved “gene therapy,” do you really think people would react the way they do with GMOs?

Read full, original article: Dan Murphy: Redefining GMOs

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